Arlain and Joicey to meet again in Southern Area title eliminator on December 3
Bethnal Green’s Jamie Arlain (4-0) will rematch with Hayes’s Andrew Joicey (3-2) on December 3rd at London’s York Hall in a 10-round eliminator contest for the Southern Area lightweight title.
The pair clashed recently back in September for the British Challenge lightweight belt with Arlain emerging the deserved winner, scored at 79-74 by referee Lee Cook.
The contest was tight throughout with the 28-year-old East-ender landing the cleaner, more eye-catching shots from his southpaw stance.
The 33-year-old from Middlesex will be aiming to right the wrong and will be desperate not to concede his winning record on that first weekend in December.
Promoter Steve Goodwin commented on their initial meeting on the last weekend of September at the same venue, “The first fight was an edge of your seat battle with many people ringside being split on the decision. It was a real pick ‘em fight with Jamie getting the nod the first time around over eight-rounds. It was so close, they are going to do it all over again but this time over 10 rounds.”
Arlain added, “My shots were landing cleaner than Andrew’s. It was my southpaw stance that troubled him. He wanted to fight and take it toe-to-toe but I wanted to box.
“He’s the toughest opponent I’ve faced so far, but I don’t think he’s going to come with anything different.”
The father of one recently received a boost to his career by teaming up with former British super-bantamweight champion Matt Marsh in his South London gym.
“This is my second fight with Matt Marsh as my trainer,” he explained. “It’s been good, he’s the best ever trainer I’ve been with. We’ve had a good camp with top sparring and Matt pushing me; it helps a lot to be with someone that’s been there and done it all.”
The headlining fight on the Christmas Carnage event will see two former Southern Area titlists Ben Day and Michael Devine battle it out for the vacant Southern Area lightweight strap.
The winner of Arlain – Joicey will face the victor of Day – Devine in early 2017.
Arlain said, “I could see Day winning that fight, he’s very awkward and clever with his shots.
“I’d look forward to fighting the winner because it’ll be someone different that’ll give me more of a push and a challenge. I’m 28 now so I’d rather take the risks and jump at the opportunities that are presented to me.”
The hallowed walls of the York Hall have quickly become known as a fortress for the Bethnal Green resident who lives just a stone’s throw away from the revered venue.
“The support was great in my last fight,” he enthused. “The fans were all cheering and singing away and it gives you a boost when you hear it in that ring. Hopefully, even more will come out for this one.”
He concluded, “I get good support from some of the TOWIE boys such as Mark Wright and Anthony Allen. My fiancée is my biggest fan and my best mate Jake Flynn is a big help always selling tickets.”
Christmas Carnage
The festive fight-fest features 19 schedued bouts including five title contests.
Ben ‘The Entertainer’ Day and Michael ‘Chunky’ Devine are both aiming to become two-weight Southern Area titlists as the pair clash for the vacant lightweight crown.
Youth meets experience in a Southern Area featherweight clash between current holder Jamie ‘The Genius’ Speight against undefeated young gun ‘Handsome’ Josh Kennedy.
The final of the Cruiserweight fight cup promises explosive action when Ryan Crawford takes on Karl Wheeler for the newest boxing cup competition.
The final title fight will be explosive where undefeated Jordan Joseph takes on Eric Mokonzo for the British Challenge Belt at light-heavyweight.
Big punching Mokonzo predicts he will knock out Joseph inside three rounds. Joseph under the tutelage of top trainer Don Charles is well aware of the threat and has other ideas on the outcome.
The fantastic undercard features middleweight sensation Brad Pauls amongst many others.
For tickets to the show, please contact 07528 663 629
Follow Jamie Arlain on Twitter @arlain_jamie88
Jamie Arlain would like to thank his sponsors Pro-Dec and Nu-Maintenance and Agent Tim Rickson